Position Summary:

ICAP at Columbia University seeks experienced and qualified individuals to serve as emergency response officers for CDC funded projects related to improving and protecting global health security (GHS) through strengthening capacities of health ministries, institutions, and local partners; strengthening health information and surveillance systems and promoting initiatives that support International Health Regulation core competencies. ICAP is recruiting three (3) Emergency response officers who will provide oversight and direction to the emergency response component of the CDC-funded project. Reporting to ICAP's Director of Preventive Services, the Technical Officer-Emergency Response will be responsible for overseeing the planning and implementation of strategies to respond to public health crises at the national, regional, and district levels.

The incumbents will be based in ICAP Tanzania offices including the Dar es Salaam and regional offices.  

Major responsibilities:  

• Oversee the development, planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the emergency response activities consistent to approved work plans and budget.
• Coordinate implementation of the emergency response operations plans and strategies and ensures that all deliverables are achieved.
• Oversee and facilitate the capacity building, training, and mentoring of stakeholders and service providers, specifically frontline responders, on emergency preparedness and response with emphasis on epidemic-prone infectious diseases and pandemics
• In close collaboration with the government authorities and national coordinating bodies, support the creation of mechanisms to intensify response efforts, such as surveillance, casefinding, contact tracing, epidemiologic and laboratory analysis, infection prevention control, program evaluation, social mobilization, community engagement, psychosocial care.
• Support the continuity of non-outbreak-related public health activities in line with national emergency preparedness and response strategy.
• Participate in the development, improvement, and dissemination of procedures, guidelines, policies and other standard operating procedures (SOPs) on emergency preparedness and response
• Designs and conduct monitoring, evaluation, and quality assurance needed to ensure that emergency response deliverables are on track and adhere to donor and key stakeholder requirements.

Education: 

• Degree holder in public health, social sciences, medicine, nursing or other relevant health-related fields from a recognized institution; a master’s degree in public health or epidemiology is preferred.

Experience, Skills, and Minimum Qualifications:  

• At least three (3) years of progressive experience managing and leading a national or international public health emergency response related to infectious disease outbreaks and epidemics, intentional or accidental releases of dangerous pathogens, or other large- scale natural emergencies that had a significant impact on public health.
• Experience working in national/international health or development organizations with extensive knowledge of health systems and structures related to public health emergence response.
• Solid understanding of national health-related emergency response systems, protocols, and standards related to global health security and international health regulation (IHR-2005).
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of national and/or international public health emergency response surveillance including case detection, investigation, and contact tracing.
• Ability to work with laboratories to establish and monitor quality indicators that may be population dependent (e.g. assay positivity rates)
• Experience with health information and data management and applicable data systems such as DHIS2.
• Proven experience in establishing working relationships and collaborating with the Tanzania government stakeholders and with relevant government agencies.
• Proven ability to write technical reports, program documents, and deliver presentations.
• Fluent in English, with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Willingness to travel locally approximately 60% of the time.